Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Political Research Officer/ Corporate Services Manager

Job Title

Political Research Officer/ Corporate Services Manager

Type

Permanent

Location

Bern

Department

DFAT – Bern

 

Contract: Ongoing

Full-time: 37.5 hours per week

Classification: LE5

Salary:  CHF100,061-110,447 salary may be negotiated depending on skills and experience

Closing Date for Applications: 7 August 2022

 

About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

 

About the Position

The Political Research Officer / Corporate Services Manager is part of a small team that pursues Australia’s objectives in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.  Under limited direction, this position provides high-level research and analysis on issues important to the bilateral relationships with Switzerland and Liechtenstein.  It also undertakes public diplomacy and social media activities and provides corporate enabling services to support the operation of the Australian Embassy in Bern.  Due to the size of the team, remote work arrangements cannot be offered.

The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

  • Provide high-level research, analysis, reporting and advice on bilateral issues including political, social, environment and economic issues.
  • Monitor and analyse local media and social media reports for issues relevant to Australia’s interests, provide policy advice and make recommendations on key developments and issues.
  • Prepare and distribute a range of high-level written materials, including reports and briefings.
  • Provide German interpreting and translation services as required.
  • Support Australia’s Public Diplomacy and communications activities through drafting high-level speeches, and drafting and posting cleared media releases and social media content on different areas of Australia’s engagement.
  • Represent the Embassy at a range of official meetings, and report on key outcomes, developments and issues.
  • Establish and maintain a broad network of working-level contacts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to inform advocacy, analysis, operational and administrative tasks.
  • In conjunction with the Australian Consulate-General, Geneva and Australian High Commission, London, manage the financial, human resources, property, procurement and other corporate and reporting functions of the Embassy in accordance with Australian government policy and procedures.
  • Manage the day-to-day administrative and operational duties of the office, including budgeting and accounts, procurement, HR administration, IT support, transport and property management and maintenance.
  • Provide administrative support to Australia-based officers as required.
  • Assist with program preparation and provide logistical support for visiting officials.
  • Contribute to the development of post business plans and maintain electronic databases, including assisting with contingency planning for, and responding to Australians affected by, a crisis in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
  • Drive official vehicles to transport staff, officials and visitors as required.
  • Provide backup support for other staff as required.

.

Qualifications/Experience

  • Ability to undertake research, analysis and reporting on relevant political, economic and foreign issues.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English and German, including the ability to prepare briefing, draft reports and undertake translation tasks when required.
  • Advanced understanding of Switzerland’s and Liechtenstein’s political, economic, social and foreign policy context, and the ability to analyse and make recommendations on key developments and issues.
  • Proficiency with social media platforms and an ability to draft content and improve digital engagement
  • Demonstrated experience in corporate management and delivery of financial, human resources, property and procurement services.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to independently liaise with stakeholders, and develop and maintain a wide range of productive working relationships. 
  • Excellent organisational skills and judgement, including the ability to manage competing priorities and work productively as part of a small team
  • Knowledge of Australia and its interests and priorities would be an advantage.
  • Relevant tertiary qualifications and work experience would be an advantage.
  • Valid Swiss Driver’s Licence with relevant driving experience and a proven safety record.
  • An ability to navigate, follow directions and provide advice on travel routes.

 

 

 

Selection Criteria

 

In your written statements, you must include succinct, high-level relevant examples that support your claims against the role. The word limit is strictly 250 words per response. 

 

  1. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills in English and German, with a proven ability to respond to the needs of clients, and to manage relationships at all levels to leverage these relationships to the benefit of the organisation, including high-level internal and external stakeholders.

 

  1. Strong interest and knowledge in Australian, Swiss and Liechtenstein’s government policies relating to political, economic, and foreign affairs. 

 

  1. Demonstrated ability to independently conduct high quality, thorough and accurate research, from a variety of sources, analyse findings to monitor trends, and present findings/reports to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders in an appropriate manner.

 

  1. Demonstrated experience implementing digital communication strategies and the creation of engaging digital content for a variety of digital channels.

 

  1. Demonstrated initiative and organisational skills, and an ability to lead a small team managing competing priorities to achieve required corporate outcomes with limited supervision.

 

 

To apply: Recruitment (amrislive.com)